The emperor seemed quite interested in the Lu family's coastal tea and had detained Lu Xun'guang in the palace for several days.
Li Ying was not impatient. She had set the new dishes for the restaurant and received two pigeon - delivered letters from Granny Sun and A Man. She knew they were worried that she might encounter difficulties in the capital. So she didn't delay any longer. She packed her luggage, informed the big boss, and then set off back to the village.
The journey went smoothly and didn't take much time.
When Granny Sun saw that she had finally returned safely and unharmed, she heaved a sigh of relief. Seeing that Lu Xun'guang was not behind her, she said regretfully, "Young Master Lu is really too busy with his business. You two young folks are so often apart. When will you finally be able to live a peaceful life?"
It was just a casual complaint. Li Ying just smiled and didn't take it to heart. She only said that Lu Xun'guang's business was really busy at the moment and he was really stretched thin, so it couldn't be blamed on him.
Just as they were talking, they heard the bustling crowd in the distance give out exclamations in unison.
"Eh, that is... that is..."
Li Ying looked up and was stunned to find that a shower of petals was falling from the sky.
She followed everyone's gazes and saw that under the clear blue sky, there was a huge balloon floating steadily. It was even more spectacular than the "artificial moon" that Lu Xun'guang had launched in the fishing village a few days ago.
Lu Xun'guang was standing in the basket under the balloon, holding a full handful of petals in his arms.
Li Ying couldn't see his body or expression clearly. She could only vaguely make out a distant, swaying figure.
But it was as if she had developed super - hearing and telescopic vision. Every petal that fluttered down on her head and shoulders seemed like Lu Xun'guang's hand gently embracing her. His eyes seemed to be eagerly following her, and all the hot blood surging in her body seemed to converge into one sentence.
"A Ying, I'm back."
The on - looking villagers were chattering away, with a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and envy.
They wondered how this Master Lu could be so amazing as to send his love up into the sky. They also wondered if they would ever be lucky enough to receive such an open and undisguised preference.
Li Ying's face showed a hint of surprise, and she stood there stunned.
She had long discussed with Lu Xun'guang the idea of a hot - air balloon ride to overlook the fishing village from above. The "artificial moon" a few days ago had confirmed her thoughts.
But sending a living person up into the sky really needed more careful consideration.
After all, human life was at stake, and one couldn't be hasty.
When on earth had this man secretly made all these preparations so well and given her such a shocking surprise?
Today's romantic scene had already whetted the appetites of the tourists in the village. Once they were well - prepared to launch the "hot - air balloon ride" project, they probably wouldn't need to do much more publicity. The guests would surely flock here.
Seeing Li Ying still standing there in a daze, Granny Sun smiled and nudged her.
"Silly girl, hurry over there! Young Master Lu is waiting for you under the old banyan tree!"
Li Ying blushed. Only then did she come to her senses. It turned out that Lu Xun'guang had deliberately stayed in the capital and not returned with her. He had planned this all along just to prepare this surprise for her!
The fishing girls were all looking at her with kind smiles on their faces.
Li Ying stamped her foot in embarrassment. Lu Xun'guang had planned so meticulously. It seemed that the whole village had known his plan long ago, and only she had been kept in the dark!
Li Ying lowered her head and trotted over. But in her heart, she couldn't hide the sweet feeling, and the corners of her lips involuntarily curved into a bright smile.
The huge hot - air balloon was now parked on the beach. Lu Xun'guang had already stepped out of the basket and was waiting for her, leaning against the banyan tree.
"Why didn't you discuss this with me before taking such a risk! What if something happened to you..."
Li Ying looked at his dusty face, which seemed even thinner than a few days ago. She couldn't help but softly scold him.
But Lu Xun'guang just firmly pulled her into his arms. His eyes suddenly enlarged in front of her, swallowing all the words she hadn't said yet, leaving only an ambiguous murmur.
"My A Ying has so many wonderful ideas and has never made a single mistake."
"A Ying, if I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of?"
After a long time, he finally let go of her and stared intently at her blushing face, speaking firmly word by word.
Li Ying pounded on his solid chest, her voice as soft as a mosquito.
"Even so, but... you... I don't want you to take any risks."
Lu Xun'guang caught her restless little hand. The heat from his palm seemed to melt her.
"A Ying, this is my way of making amends.
"To make that dog - official Lin believe that we are at odds, I've had to play along these days.
"I know you've never blamed me, but I really hate myself like this. To avenge my family, I've had to drag the woman I love into this false pretense."
Li Ying knew very well that Lu Xun'guang was a stubborn man. He was straightforward and didn't like to hide or disguise himself.
Even though she didn't mind at all, this man must have blamed himself over and over again on many sleepless nights for making his sweetheart suffer.
Her heart instantly softened like a pool of spring water. She pressed her cheek tightly against his chest and said softly, "Lu Lang, I like this gift very much.
"All those acts of pretense were just an unspoken understanding between us. Lu Lang, I've never blamed you even a little bit.
"A husband and wife should stand together through thick and thin and trust each other. Lu Lang, A Ying will always trust you."
Li Ying spoke firmly. Lu Xun'guang hugged her even tighter, and his voice took on a teasing tone.
"Husband and wife?"
Li Ying's little face suddenly turned red.
She just thought that the two of them were already engaged and she had long regarded Lu Xun'guang as the one for her whole life.
But when this man casually asked this question, being a shy girl, she instantly blushed to the ears.
Seeing that she had turned as red as a cooked shrimp all over, Lu Xun'guang couldn't bear to tease her anymore. He lowered his voice and said seriously, "A Ying, I stayed in the capital for so many days this time. It wasn't all for searching for skilled craftsmen to make this hot - air balloon.
"The emperor summoned me to the palace and gave me another important task, which concerns the future of the entire Lu family."
Li Ying held her breath and looked at him with her bright eyes.
"The emperor intends to let the Lu family become salt merchants again."